First visit to Asia
 

Hi,
My husband and I would like to visit Asia for the first time in September or October. We will have two weeks. One of us loves the beach. One loves street art, museums, local customs. Where might we go that will not be too expensive, and will be restful but interesting? First thoughts include Bali and Thailand.
Thanks

I think your instincts are good. Both Bali & Thailand are easy places for first time visits to Asia. Both have a broad range of possibilities, good accommodations in every price range, great food, interesting shopping and cultural attractions. Most of all both are gentle cultures with great resources for travellers.

My first visit to Asia years ago was to Thailand and more recently I've spent time in Bali and I recommend both. For a 2 week trip I'd choose one or the other.

I agree. Choose one or the other. A good guidebook might help you decide.

If you love the beach and want to make that part of your trip then I would unabashedly recommend Thailand. I do love Bali, but it's more of a cultural destination. The beaches there just cannot hold a candle to the ones in Thailand.

...and, of course, your husband can get all the culture and history he can get his hands on in Thailand! :)

Ha! Husband loves the beach,; I love the city! What about Thailand for beach and Siem Reap for culture/history???

With two weeks, you could combine Siem Reap, Bangkok and a beach. It's a great combo.

I think Angkor/Siem Reap is a "must see" and I agree that Thai beaches are among the best, but combining the two is going to require a fair amount of tedious travel time, connecting flights, immigration etc etc.

The good thing about Bali is that once you're there, you're there. No more airports. There are a lot of choices in accommodation and you can easily divide your time between beach culture and culture culture.

I like the beach in South Bali. It's not the pristine, powdery sand type, but it's lively with big waves, stunning sunsets and a range of sophisticated resorts and restaurants. Inland, the Ubud area offers art, drama, pageantry, crafts, village life -- all within profoundly beautiful natural surroundings.

better to go later in october, not in sept. for many places in se asia

But for Bali, September's perfect. Not much rain, not too busy.

September is beautiful in Bali! The last month of the cool dry season.

The only drawback is Bali's only city, Denpasar, is not very attractive and has terrible traffic. But the main tourist areas like Sanur, Seminyak Ubud, Amed etc are great. 2 weeks would be a good time frame. For example, 4 nights in Sanur, 5 nights in Ubud, 3 nights in a northern beach like Amed, and 2 nights for a quick getaway to Java to see Borobudur and Prambanan.